Which one to choose from the Big Three? Patek&VC experiences needed!

[FinWatch]

I almost completed my collection with the Daytona. I’ve been downsizing my collection. After my hectic journey with watches it is good to stop and enjoy what I have. But... Next year I am celebrating a huge milestone in my life and I have one empty slot in my watchbox...
Patek and Vacheron are two of the Big Three that have impressed me the most:
Calatrava Pilot Watch 5524R and Overseas Dual-Time in steel with silver dial. Other Pateks or VC’s are not singing to me. Any thoughts/experiences from these two watches? Which to choose of these two and why? Buying both is not an option for me.


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[Pantheon]

IMO the dual time overseas. It has always been near and dear to my heart


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[bigfatpauli]

The bracelet on the VC is UNREAL. It is just so well made and thoughtful in its design, that alone would make my go VC.

Never mind that much preffer the Overseas to the overly derivative 5524R.

[Jay (Eire)]

Hard to make a choice between two completely different watches in terms of style, design, wearability. Does either fill a particular void in your collection better than the other?

[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by Pantheon

IMO the dual time overseas. It has always been near and dear to my heart


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Thanks for your input!
Do you have one?


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[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by bigfatpauli

The bracelet on the VC is UNREAL. It is just so well made and thoughtful in its design, that alone would make my go VC.

Never mind that much preffer the Overseas to the overly derivative 5524R.

Thanks! Have you experienced all the three bracelets that come with Overseas?
I think that is just an amazing concept with these VC’s!


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[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

Hard to make a choice between two completely different watches in terms of style, design, wearability. Does either fill a particular void in your collection better than the other?

Good point! The Dual-Time option is what I appriciate in both models. VC would be more sporty and because of the three bracelets, it could be used in any situation. Patek’s Pilot is PM, but that adds also the bling factor. Patek’s strenght is that it is a Patek. But that might be also the weakness: Too much showing off? Patek’s dial with big numbers and the dual time complication like that is something that I’ve never had. VC’s dial is also unique but in a different way: Especially I love the AM/PM -indicator.
Also both are in the Big Three. In VC I admire that it is the oldest company that is still making watches (since 1755). Patek’s history and all the inventions are simply amazing. It is interesting that VC is making approx. 20.000 watches /year and Patek 50.000 watches /year (what I’ve understood). Some even say that VC’s watches are even better made. According to some reviews this VC Overseas Dual-Time has some better technical qualities when comparing to Patek (f.e anti-magnetism). But both are world-class watches; The Big Three...
This decision is something that I truly want to think very carefully. I am not in a hurry. It’s very important for me to share this process with you all, thanks!!!


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[Pongster]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

Thanks! Have you experienced all the three bracelets that come with Overseas?
I think that is just an amazing concept with these VC’s!


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Plus one

[locutus49]

The 5524 is fantastic. It is pretty big so you need the wrist for it but it5 has a most useful and easy to use function.

[1William]

I find VC more interesting, just not the model you picked.

[bigfatpauli]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

Thanks! Have you experienced all the three bracelets that come with Overseas?
I think that is just an amazing concept with these VC’s!

Yes. On the chronograph, mind you. It really does up the value proposition of the watch considerably.

[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by 1William

I find VC more interesting, just not the model you picked.

Which VC would be your pick?


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[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by bigfatpauli

Yes. On the chronograph, mind you. It really does up the value proposition of the watch considerably.

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[Roger Lococco]

I prefer the Vacheron.

[ayonae]

VC is my choice. I have an overseas and the bracelet craftsmanship and comfort is fantastic! Highly recommend - and you get 3 bracelet choices! Most versatile watch I own.

[MikeMike]

The VC looks great and the interchangeable straps is a huge plus. I do not like that patek at all.

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

Good point! The Dual-Time option is what I appriciate in both models. VC would be more sporty and because of the three bracelets, it could be used in any situation. Patek’s Pilot is PM, but that adds also the bling factor. Patek’s strenght is that it is a Patek.

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I do think the VC has the versatility, as you say with the strap/bracelet choices. The Patek will never have that, even if you dress it down with the proper strap. But do you need the versatility or do you need/want something that can be a little more dressy (the gold).

I wouldn’t hang too much weight on Patek being Patek as a key strength over the VC in this case. Unless you’re in the realm of real complications Patek is no better and often worse than other watches at similar or lessor price points.

For me I do like the Patek Pilot better than the VC (although for me the smaller “ladies” version is better for my wrist). It’s something different from what I already have and I like that it’s an outlier in the Patek catalogue.

They both (larger and smaller Pilots) sell at a discount new and are weaker again on resale but I’d be OK with the resale so long as it was bought “right” to start with.

[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by ayonae

VC is my choice. I have an overseas and the bracelet craftsmanship and comfort is fantastic! Highly recommend - and you get 3 bracelet choices! Most versatile watch I own.

If you have pics, please share!


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[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

I do think the VC has the versatility, as you say with the strap/bracelet choices. The Patek will never have that, even if you dress it down with the proper strap. But do you need the versatility or do you need/want something that can be a little more dressy (the gold).



I wouldn’t hang too much weight on Patek being Patek as a key strength over the VC in this case. Unless you’re in the realm of real complications Patek is no better and often worse than other watches at similar or lessor price points.



For me I do like the Patek Pilot better than the VC (although for me the smaller “ladies” version is better for my wrist). It’s something different from what I already have and I like that it’s an outlier in the Patek catalogue.



They both (larger and smaller Pilots) sell at a discount new and are weaker again on resale but I’d be OK with the resale so long as it was bought “right” to start with.

Good points, thanks! Do you have any VC or Patek?


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[Russell996]

Both great pieces from great manufacturers. Personally I don’t like the way the second time hand is always visible on the VC, the Patek perfectly hides the second time when it is not required, no ugly red arrow sticking out!

[Russell996]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

Good point! The Dual-Time option is what I appriciate in both models

Possibly another option outside of the trinity.

https://www.alange-soehne.com/en/tim...versary-116066

[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Possibly another option outside of the trinity.



https://www.alange-soehne.com/en/tim...versary-116066

That’s nice; too close to my Glashütte:



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[Russell996]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

That’s nice; too close to my Glashütte:


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Lovely piece

SkyDweller is a great piece and another option depending on wrist size? Blue dial piece is gorgeous, although clearly a huge drop in movement finishing quality.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Russell996

Both great pieces from great manufacturers. Personally I don’t like the way the second time hand is always visible on the VC, the Patek perfectly hides the second time when it is not required, no ugly red arrow sticking out!

I tend to agree the red arrow's execution on the dial is a little clumsy. I had a VCO briefly last year, having admiring the sculpted bracelet for a long time, and after the initial euphoria it felt a little over the top combined with the bezel's MC motif so I sold it. I would get the PP, esp if you have never had one before, the new blue dial looks particularly nice.

[locutus49]

The Lange Chrono, I believe the 1815, is really nice. To our community, the Lange is one of the top houses. Of the two you picture the Patek is really nice but was too big for my wrist. And it costs 49K and not much less on the secondary.

Oh, take a look at the GP Laureato. I think it is the best looking SS sports watches and GP is one of the top houses.

[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

Good points, thanks! Do you have any VC or Patek?


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No VC, not my thing in terms of design aesthetic for the most part.

Re Patek currently only one, a 5711. However I’ve looked hard at the Pilot (smaller version) since it was released. However after many views I’m not a fan of the metal used on the smaller Pilot, it’s noticeably yellow in colour (even though it’s rose gold). That’s more than enough to put me off the watch. There will be a steel version coming perhaps in 2020 or more likely 2021, I will wait for that.

If Dual Time is a feature that’s appealing to you have you looked at the Royal Oak? Of Lange Saxonia Dual Time or Lange’s Timezone? Or, and this was never its intended purpose a Journe Resonance (some of the more recent models can be had at decent prices used).


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[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by locutus49

The Lange Chrono, I believe the 1815, is really nice. To our community, the Lange is one of the top houses. Of the two you picture the Patek is really nice but was too big for my wrist. And it costs 49K and not much less on the secondary.

Oh, take a look at the GP Laureato. I think it is the best looking SS sports watches and GP is one of the top houses.

Good points, that GP is nice!


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[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by Jay (Eire)

No VC, not my thing in terms of design aesthetic for the most part.

Re Patek currently only one, a 5711. However I’ve looked hard at the Pilot (smaller version) since it was released. However after many views I’m not a fan of the metal used on the smaller Pilot, it’s noticeably yellow in colour (even though it’s rose gold). That’s more than enough to put me off the watch. There will be a steel version coming perhaps in 2020 or more likely 2021, I will wait for that.

If Dual Time is a feature that’s appealing to you have you looked at the Royal Oak? Of Lange Saxonia Dual Time or Lange’s Timezone? Or, and this was never its intended purpose a Journe Resonance (some of the more recent models can be had at decent prices used).


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Thanks for your input! That PP Pilot steel version would be good option! The only thing is that I think it will be impossible to get...


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[FinWatch]

Originally Posted by AK797

I tend to agree the red arrow's execution on the dial is a little clumsy. I had a VCO briefly last year, having admiring the sculpted bracelet for a long time, and after the initial euphoria it felt a little over the top combined with the bezel's MC motif so I sold it. I would get the PP, esp if you have never had one before, the new blue dial looks particularly nice.

Thanks for sharing your experience. What happens after the initial euphoria...? The watch should truly sing to me in every possible way... there is always the one and only... Day-Date...



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[Jay (Eire)]

Originally Posted by FinWatch

Thanks for sharing your experience. What happens after the initial euphoria...? The watch should truly sing to me in every possible way... there is always the one and only... Day-Date...



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The Day Date is not a watch you can wrong with. But you are back to that sporty bracelet look again (although you can switch out for a strap too).